Is Matthew Liberatore the next man up for the Cardinals' troubled rotation?

Liberatore has provided reason to believe in the (very) early going this season

When – not if – the Cardinals need reinforcements for the rotation, which thus far in 2023 is struggling beyond anyone’s fears, lefty prospect Matthew Liberatore may be next in the queue. That’s with good reason. 

Liberatore, now 23, is a former first-rounder and from the Cards’ standpoint the centerpiece of the January 2020 trade that sent outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Rays. He’s also been a top-100 overall prospect for much of his time in the minors. Despite a disappointing 2022 campaign both at Memphis and St. Louis, Liberatore retains a high ceiling and a promising long-term outlook. 

Yes, we’re but toe-deep into the 2023 season, but already Liberatore has given cause for optimism. Coming off a strong showing in major-league camp this spring, Liberatore has looked dominant across his first two starts at Triple-A this season. In a combined 10 innings for Memphis, he’s yet to allow a run on seven hits, and he’s struck out 14 against four walks. Moreover, a deeper look suggests he’s achieved genuine skills growth when it comes to his two leading pitches, the fastball and the curve. Let’s probe a bit more deeply into that matter. Consider: